BUNBURY ON THE COAL FORMATION OF CAPE BRETON. 433 



tinuous. The scars are simple, and of a linear form, lik6 narrow 

 slits. The decorticated surface of the stem is marked with very 

 minute transverse undulations. 



This fossil does not seem to he properly referable either to Sigil- 

 laria, Stigmaria, or Lepidodendron ; but until perfect specimens, 

 with the hark and its markings well-preserved, shall be discovered, it 

 would he a vain attempt to determine its proper place in the system. 

 I have a precisely similar specimen from Oldham in Lancashire. 



35. Stigmaria ficoides. 



The specimens show no internal structure, but agree entirely in 

 their external markings vdth some of the varieties found in English 

 coal-mines. It may be remarked, that the variations observable in 

 different specimens of this common Stigmaria are very numerous, 

 yet slight, and scarcely admitting of precise definition ; a circum- 

 stance rather favourable to the hypothesis that these fossils are merely 

 the roots of Sigillarice. 



36. Calamites approximatus. {Brongn. Veg. Foss. vol. i. p. 133. 



t. 24.) 



Agrees most accurately with Brongniart's description and figures, 

 especially figs. 1 & 3. The length of the internodes varies in the 

 same specimen from |-th to -j^ths of an inch. 



37. Galamites ramosus. {Artis, Antedil. Phyt. t. 2.) 



Agrees with Artis' s figure, which M. Brongniart has copied ; but it 

 is an ill-defined species, for the scars of branches at the joints are by 

 no means peculiar to it, and it seems to have no other discriminating 

 character. 



38. Calamites SucKOWii ? 



Probably a variety of C. Sitckoivii, although the bark is thicker 

 than it is said to be in that species. The decorticated surface, like 

 that of C. undulatus, presents the appearance of a cellular structure, 

 with nearly square cells. 



39. Asterophyllites foliosa. {Lindl. ^ Hutt. Foss. Fl. vol. i. 



t. 25.) 



Agrees with British specimens. The branches are thicker than 

 they are represented in the * Fossil Flora ;' the main stem is very 

 thick, and appears to have been of a soft and succulent nature, being 

 much crumpled and distorted, and in some places torn into long- 

 shreds. It is distinctly but not very regularly furrowed. 



May not this species, at least, of Aster opJiyllites have been nearly 

 allied to the Calamites, — ^perhaps a herbaceous form of the same 

 tribe ? 



40. Asterophyllites eqtjisetiformis. {Lindl. ^Hiitt. Foss. Fl. 



vol. ii. t. 124.) 



Agrees well with Lindley and Hutton's plate, especially with fig. 3. 

 The leaves are from J inch to 1 \ inch long, and vary, in the same 



